The first Christmas pilgrims arrived in Israel yesterday. Five plane loads of them landed at Lod Airport and were assured by military authorities that it was safe to visit shrines and holy places in East Jerusalem and Bethlehem, Military sources said it was highly unlikely that terrorists would try to disrupt the celebrations in view of the strict security measures being taken.
A senior military source in Tel Aviv said Bethlehem would be heavily guarded. “Our precautions will be as strong and as good as we can make them.” he said. Military and police authorities have completed a wide scale security screening in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. They reported both areas virtually clear of an effective terrorist organization.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
